Writing about veganism in secondaries

[JakAttk]

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I'm starting to think about secondary prompts for the upcoming cycle, and I see that many schools have questions like, "Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you?"

When I read this, the first thing that comes to mind is my advocacy for animals, veganism, and how those things have sprouted an interest in nutrition and sustainability. This is something that doesn't come up anywhere else in my application, but that everyone who knows me personally would know is important to me.

My question is, is this appropriate to talk about in my application? I know veganism can be polarizing, and of course, I would not write about it in a judgemental way, but is it something I should avoid altogether?

Thanks for any insight!

Edit: Also, I am a middle-class white male and therefore don't contribute much to a school's cultural diversity. Do you think this would be an appropriate topic to write about for a diversity question, given that it is a fairly unique viewpoint?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

It's all in how you present it and your homework to know how the programs present information regarding plant-based diets.

Educating doctors and medical students about vegan nutrition

These doctors and medical professionals are redesigning medical school programmes with an increased emphasis on vegan nutrition and health.

www.theveganreview.com

Nutrition Education for Medical Students

Resources for Incorporating Nutrition in Medicine

www.pcrm.org

Dr. Faraz Harsini on Instagram‎: "This medical student at @brownu wanted to go vegan immediately after Dr. Williams' talk. I wasn't able to capture the beginning where she expressed how inspired she felt and how much she appreciated the talk. Seein

175 likes, 9 comments - dr_faraz_harsini on September 15, 2024‎: "This medical student at @brownu wanted to go vegan immediately after Dr. Williams' talk. I wasn't able to capture the beginning where she expressed how inspired she felt and how much she appreciated the talk. Seeing her...

www.instagram.com

A Place for Plant-Based Nutrition in US Medical School Curriculum: A Survey-Based Study - PMC (Louisville)

 

[Goro]

Honestly, my first reaction to seeing something like this would be "oh please".

Tons of pre-meds are interested in having a healthy diet nutrition and exercise and good health. It's nothing new

 

[LunaOri]

I think it’s fine as an “anything else” topic because it is important to you. Veganism isn’t too common.

 

[deleted1208015]

If you really cared that much, then why don’t you have an EC activity about it? You get like 15 spots to put down your extracurriculars….

 

[AJS59]

If you really cared that much, then why don’t you have an EC activity about it? You get like 15 spots to put down your extracurriculars….

Unless they have a specific activity associated with it, I don't think you can build an EC out of it. Different story if they have volunteering or advocacy work that they can ascribe hours to

 

[deleted1208015]

Unless they have a specific activity associated with it, I don't think you can build an EC out of it. Different story if they have volunteering or advocacy work that they can ascribe hours to

Which is exactly my point. It’s like writing an essay about how much community service means to you but having zero community service hours….

 

[AJS59]

Which is exactly my point. It’s like writing an essay about how much community service means to you but having zero community service hours….

I think what I meant was that its possible to write about something that you can't ascribe to a particular EC.

OP: I wouldn't put this under anything else, but if you can make it work in the context of a secondary, go for it.

 

[LizzyM]

You can have "advocacy" as an activity, particularly if you've been involved as a member of an organization that works on behalf of animals/promotes veganism. Have you lobbied members of the legislature in person or otherwise, communicated with university officials on behalf of fellow students (e.g. to have vegan meal options on campus), or participated in tabling events/fairs promoting veganism? Describing your activities as one of your 15 work & activities would be reasonable.

 

[JakAttk]

You can have "advocacy" as an activity, particularly if you've been involved as a member of an organization that works on behalf of animals/promotes veganism. Have you lobbied members of the legislature in person or otherwise, communicated with university officials on behalf of fellow students (e.g. to have vegan meal options on campus), or participated in tabling events/fairs promoting veganism? Describing your activities as one of your 15 work & activities would be reasonable.

The only related thing I have as an activity is volunteering at an animal sanctuary. I've done some advocacy but nothing sustained with a particular org. For the most part it's about choices I make in my own life and my moral/ethical system. It's something that's important to me that doesn't naturally fit anywhere in the app, which is why it came to mind when I read "anything else about you" prompts. If it's going to be controversial or come off as corny, I'll just omit it (it's pretty unrelated to my interest in medicine).

 

[LunaOri]

The only related thing I have as an activity is volunteering at an animal sanctuary. I've done some advocacy but nothing sustained with a particular org. For the most part it's about choices I make in my own life and my moral/ethical system. It's something that's important to me that doesn't naturally fit anywhere in the app, which is why it came to mind when I read "anything else about you" prompts. If it's going to be controversial or come off as corny, I'll just omit it (it's pretty unrelated to my interest in medicine).

I think it’s good as an “anything else” essay.